Appendix E Scanner connections

The connection that links the scanner and computer is used to transfer the picture data between the two machines. Because digital photographs are made up of vast amounts of information, this connection needs to be very fast. Over the years, several different connection types have developed, each with their own merits. It is important to check that your computer has the same connection as the scanner before finalizing any purchase.

Figure E.3 SCSI-1 scanner Figure E.4 Parallel scanner connection.

Figure E.2 Firewire scanner connection. connection.

Figure E.3 SCSI-1 scanner Figure E.4 Parallel scanner connection.

Figure E.2 Firewire scanner connection. connection.

Table E.1 Scanner connections

Scanner connection

Merits

Speed rating

USB 1.0

• No need to turn computer off to connect (hot swappable)

• Can link many devices

• Standard on many recent computers

• Can be added to older machines using an additional card

Fast

(1.5 Mbytes per second) See Figure E.1

• Can link many devices

• Standard on some new models

• No need to turn computer off to connect (hot swappable)

• Can link many devices

• Standard on many recent computers

• Can be added to older machines using an additional card

Extremely fast

(60 Mbytes per second)

• Can link many devices

• Not generally standard on Windows machines but can be added using an additional card

• Standard on newest Macintosh machines

Extremely fast

(50 Mbytes per second)

See Figure E.2

SCSI-1

• Can link several devices

• Standard on older Macintosh machines

Fast

(5 Mbytes per second) See Figure E.3

SCSI-2 (Fast SCSI)

• Not generally standard but can be added to machines using an additional card

Fast

(10 Mbytes per second)

SCSI-3 (Ultra SCSI)

• Not generally standard but can be added to machines using an additional card